Good Faith

Will the Midterms Be a Tourniquet, a Cure, or Something Else Entirely?

Does who wins Congress matter? What happens to American democracy after the midterms may be up for grabs. Good Faith "founding friend" and New York Times columnist David French joins Curtis Chang to look beyond the 2026 midterm scoreboard and explore what the elections could mean for presidential power, political extremism, and the church's public witness. They discuss the limits of congressional checks on President Trump, the Texas Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton, and why restoring trust requires more than a partisan victory. David and Curtis also offer practical ways Christians can move to active participation—and a call to pray for justice, repentance, and reconciliation.

01:28 - David Forecasts the Midterms

06:45 - Can a Democratic Congress Check the President?

13:10 - The Republican Party's Future and Moderate Candidates

17:48 - Institutional Damage and Constitutional Checks

22:47 - Election Integrity and the Risk of Close Results

30:22 - The Need to Move from Spectatorship to Participation

35:50 - Speaking Up in Evangelical Churches

41:08 - Is Texas a Signal for Faith and Politics?

46:23 - Why Do Candidates Like Adam Kinzinger Struggle?

51:03 - David's Call to Prayer

Find this episode on our website: Good Faith episode 255

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Good Faith ep. 252: David French: Can We Trust the Supreme Court?
• David French's The 'God Gap' Is Narrowing in Texas
• Virginia debate Ratifying Convention: Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1
• Congressal authority to judge its members' elections/qualifications: Article I, Section 5
• Learn more about The After Party course

Scriptures:

• Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)
• 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (ESV)

More From David French:

• David French's New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Escaping the Digital Age Where Noise Is Our Destiny

What if the noise filling your life is drowning out God's voice? John Mark Comer joins Curtis Chang to discuss his book Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise and how churches can offer refuge from digital overload, what the Desert Fathers and Mothers teach about faith and power, and why contemplative prayer sustains public engagement. John Mark and Curtis do a deep dive into the relationship between contemplative prayer, political engagement, and faithful public witness. Along the way, John Mark offers gentle, practical ways to begin making room for God—even if sitting still feels impossible.

02:27 - How do we talk about silence in a noisy age?

06:19 - "Quiet time" versus quiet presence

10:52 - Why does solitude matter for active people?

15:34 - Is solitude essential to discipleship?

23:11 - Noisy churches and quieter worship

30:01 - Silence, politics, and public witness

37:40 - The Desert Fathers, Constantine, the church & empire

43:45 - Solitude and confronting demonic thoughts

50:32 - Starting a practice of quiet & finding joy in God

Sign up for The After Party course

Mentioned in This Episode:

• John Mark Comer's Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise
• More about Martin Laird
• More about Dallas Willard & spiritual disciplines
• Richard Foster's list of spiritual disciplines
• Adele Ahlberg Calhoun's Spiritual Disciplines Handbook
• BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything
• Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited
• Howard Thurman's Meditations of the Heart

Scriptures:

• Luke 5:15–16 (ESV)
• Psalm 46 (ESV)
• Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13 (ESV)
• Jude 9 (ESV)
• Colossians 1:27 (ESV)
• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV)

More From John Mark Comer:

• Explore John Mark's website
• Listen to John Mark's podcast
• Find John Mark on Instagram
• Watch John Mark on YouTube

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Can the Next Generation Do Politics Better Than We Have?

Being angry on the internet isn't activism. So what actually makes a difference? Sharon McMahon, "America's government teacher" and author of The Small and the Mighty and host of the Preamble podcast, joins Curtis Chang to explore how we can help the next generation do politics better and build a healthier democracy in the process. They discuss raising engaged citizens, choosing character over party loyalty, and loving our neighbors—even when they're our enemies. With the midterms approaching, Sharon offers a practical path from political frustration to local civic engagement, reminding us that hope begins with believing our actions matter.

00:54 - Welcome and Why Civic Formation Matters

05:53 - Norm Mineta and Modeling Public Service

09:27 - Teaching Young People to Vote Thoughtfully

14:21 - Can Civic Engagement Form Character? 18:04 - Choosing a Community Focus

23:55 - Loving Enemies Without Accepting Harm

34:04 - Helping College Students Speak Up

38:30 - Civic Education During a Constitutional Crisis

41:26 - Is Hope an Active Choice?

43:55 - Helping One Person at a Time

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Sharon McMahon's The Small and the Mighty
• Sharon McMahon's We Are Mighty
• More about Norman Mineta
• Executive Order 9066: Resulting in Japanese-American Incarceration (1942)
• Read the Constitution and the Preamble (transcript)

Scriptures:

• Matthew 22:34-40 and Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)
• Matthew 6:10 (ESV)

More From Sharon McMahon:

• Sharon McMahon's website
• Sharon McMahon's The Preamble podcast
• Sharon McMahon's The Preamble Newsletter

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

What Happens When Power, Politics, and Judges Collide? (Spoiler: It's Complicated)

Host Curtis Chang and New York Times columnist David French ask how much Americans can rely on the Supreme Court if the 2026 midterms are contested. They discuss the constitutional limit on presidential terms and why a disputed House race could expose the limits of judicial power. French explains why he remains hopeful about the highest court in the land despite political pressure, and shares his concerns about the conservative Christian legal movement. They also ask Christians: How can you love your neighbors when a court ruling causes harm?

03:19 - The Most Relevant Supreme Court Ruling of 2026

10:26 - Risks of the Upcoming Midterm Elections

13:16 - The Threat of Exploiting Legal Confusion

20:10 - Internal Relationships Within the Supreme Court

27:12 - The Influence of Personal Experience on Court Decisions

31:45 - The Conservative Christian Legal Movement's Influence

38:31 - Practicing the Second Greatest Commandment

46:10 - How to Pray for the Supreme Court

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• David French's article The Fix Was Almost In
• Listen to the Supreme Court: argument audio
• The Supreme Court's tariff ruling
• The Constitution's Twenty-Second Amendment
• More about: Missouri Supreme Court and congressional maps
• Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics: The Dobbs Leak as an Illustration of the Impasse Between Legal Ethics and Reality
• Washington Post: Why a lawyer who launched the Christian legal movement believes it's gone astray
• Read about Toyosaburo Korematsu v. United States

Scriptures:

• Mark 12:31 (ESV)

More From David French:

• David French's New York Times pieces HERE
• David French's Advisory Opinions podcast
• Follow David French on Threads

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Your "Safe" College Major May Be an AI Dead End

Could AI make your college degree obsolete while making your plumber more valuable? Curtis Chang and Andy Crouch explore how artificial intelligence is disrupting higher education and the future of work—and why skilled trades and embodied human abilities may be safer bets. They also examine the rise of AI therapy and explain why chatbots can offer useful advice but can never replace human connection, spiritual community, and forgiveness.

02:36 - Declaring Personal Educational Backgrounds

13:26 - The Risk of "Cutting Edge" Education

15:37 - Computer Science: A Good Bet Turned Bad?

19:49 - Advice for Today's College Students

27:11 - The Role of a Teacher in the AI Age

30:54 - What About First-Generation American Students

35:27 - The Value of Skilled Trades

38:08 - The Intellectual Life of the Working Class

42:38 - The Real-World Value of Skilled Professionals

44:26 - What About AI as a Mental Health Tool?

47:35 - The Limits of AI in Providing Human Connection

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Mentioned in This Episode:

• Notre Dame's DELTA: Human Formation in the Age of AI
• Jean Lee Latham's Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
• Jonathan Rose's The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes
• Matthew Loftus' Resisting Therapy Culture
• Good Faith episode 245: When Mental Health Goes Too Far with Matthew Loftus
• RAND study: Use of Generative AI for Mental Health Advice Among US Adolescents and Young Adults
• Ronald Heifetz's adaptive-leadership framework

More From Andy Crouch:

• Check out Andy's website
• Check out Andy's work at Praxis
• Read Andy's book: The Life We're Looking For
• Read Andy's book The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place

Follow Us:

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

What America Learned, Feared, and Forgot After 9/11

Former Trump White House security expert Elizabeth Neumann and theologian Russell Moore join Curtis Chang to consider whether America is safer—or simply more afraid—25 years after 9/11. They examine the war with Iran, immigration enforcement, domestic extremism, government overreach, and the church's complicity in fear-driven efforts. Together, they ask how Christians can confront legitimate threats without surrendering to fear, offering civic engagement, moral courage, and faithful "small refusals" to conform as a way forward.

03:14 - A 25-Year Review of Homeland Security

06:22 - A Theological View on "Homeland Security"

09:55 - How Do We Evaluate the War with Iran?

19:34 - Should Christians Trust the State?

24:01 - The Public's Disengagement from Government

28:54 - The Church's Role in Local Justice

33:59 - The Rise of Domestic Terrorism

40:52 - Is the Church Complicit in Fear Mongering?

42:29- Russell's Counsel for Pastors: Small Refusals

44:39 - The Personal Cost of Opposing Government Overreach

48:22 - When Lament and Hope Are the Same Thing

Apply to be Good Faith's next Director of Marketing

Register for Calvin University's Wisdom in the Age of AI Conference 2026

Sign up for The After Party course

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Elizabeth Neumann's Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace
• National September 11 Memorial & Museum: Marking the 25th Anniversary
• George W. Bush White House's the Department of Homeland Security executive Summary
• More about National Immigration Forum
• Wendell Berry's "A Statement Against the War in Vietnam" from The Long-Legged House

Scriptures:

• Hebrews 11:13–16 ESV
• Jeremiah 29:7 ESV
• 1 Samuel 8 ESV
• Romans 12–13 ESV
• Isaiah 8:11–13 ESV
• Romans 8:24–27 ESV

More From Elizabeth Neumann:

• Elizabeth Neumann's website

More From Russell Moore:

• Russell Moore's Substack
• Read Russell Moore's article The Trump-Era Laughter at Immigrant Suffering Is Deforming Our Souls
• Sign up for Russell Moore's weekly newsletter Moore to the Point

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Miracles, Heartbreak, and the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Nearly 50 million people remain trapped in modern slavery—but International Justice Mission founder Gary Haugen believes it could end in our lifetime. He joins host Curtis Chang to explore how IJM fights human trafficking by transforming broken justice systems, where God is amid horrific evil and patient prayer, and how Christians can stop watching from the sidelines and join the fight.

02:23 - The Evolution of IJM's Strategy of Strengthening Local Justice Systems

08:30 - US Complicity in Global Slavery

13:48 - The Impact of Unpredictable US Government Action

18:24 - Is Their a Contradiction in Evangelical Support?

24:23 - The Role of Miracles in Fighting Evil

28:56 - Waiting For Prayers to Be Answered

33:51 - The Dangers of Christian Hero Worship

45:26 - A Call to Action Against Modern Day Slavery

To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Gary Haugen's biography
• IJM's work fighting trafficking and slavery
• IJM's response to the State Department funding pause
• U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report
• Global Estimates of Modern Slavery
• Child trafficking and forced labor on Ghana's Lake Volta
• Good Faith episode 224: Francis Collins and Kristine Torjesen

Scriptures:

• Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
• Matthew 25:14–30 (ESV)

International Justice Mission:

• Get involved with IJM
• Pray with IJM
• Support IJM's advocacy work
• IJM resources for churches

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Untangling America's Socialist Fever and Fear

Host Curtis Chang and Good Faith "founding friend" David French ask whether democratic socialism is your grandparents' socialism, the left's answer to MAGA, or something more sinister. They unpack what Christians should make of its growing influence by exploring the DSA, economic inequality, America's national debt, the influence of Big Tech, and why Christians who feel politically homeless still have an obligation to stay engaged.

00:44 - Introduction to Democratic Socialism

02:19 - Can We Define a Democratic Socialist?

04:04 - Should Socialism Scare Us?

08:39 - Is the DSA the Left's MAGA?

17:38 - The Electoral Risk of Extremism

21:21 - Is There a Theological Take on Socialism?

25:19 - Has Debt Seized the Means of Production?

28:45 - Policy Must Be Effective, Not Just Well-Intentioned

33:13 - The Role of Economics in Moral Reasoning

34:19 - The Homeless Political Middle

36:43 - The Legitimate Grievances Fueling Extremism

42:08 - Socialism and the Threat of Big Tech

43:52 - The Presumption of Socialism and Economic Freedom

47:13 - Encouragement for the Politically Homeless

To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Ten Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Arguments for Socialism and Why They're Wrong (CATO Institute)
• Hasan Piker: What You Need to Know (Anti-Defamation League)
• Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum (the basis for solidarity and subsidiarity)
• Congressional Budget Office: the federal debt / long-term budget outlook
• What is the Federal Debt right now? (Peter G. Peterson Foundation)
• Noah Smith: No one knows how much the government can borrow
• David French's How Can America Be So Miserable When It's So Rich?
• Starlink in the Russian-Ukrainian war
• More about labor leader Eugene Debs
• More about 20th Century economist Friedrich August Hayek

Scriptures:

• Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)
• 1 Kings 19:18 (ESV)
• Romans 11:4 (ESV)

More From David French:

• David French's New York Times pieces HERE
• Follow David French on Threads

Follow Us:

Good Faith on Instagram

Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter)

Good Faith on Facebook

The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Why Are We So Lonely Even When We're Not Alone?

Host Curtis Chang talks with psychologist and podcaster Dr. Alison Cook about why America's loneliness epidemic can't be solved by simply adding more people to our lives. They explore how attachment wounds, anxiety, distraction, and modern life leave us disconnected—and how solitude and honest prayer can become paths toward healing. Dr. Cook offers a practice for loneliness: "recognize and return"—name what you feel, then remember, "I am loved even here."

02:46 - Why Do We Minimize Loneliness?

05:12 - What Is Attachment Theory?

10:31 - Childhood Wounds and Cultural Context

13:42 - Where God Enters the Healing Process

16:14 - The Inner Dialogue with God

20:44 - The Importance of Solitude

27:20 - The Modern Epidemic of Loneliness

35:16 - Loneliness as a Holy Longing

39:22 - Spiritual Practices for a Healthy Inner Life

To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Dr. Cook's The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn't Come Easy
• The U.S. Surgeon General's report: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
• Professor Irvin D. Yalom's Existential Psychotherapy
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together

Scriptures:

• Psalm 42 (ESV)
• Psalm 131 (ESV)
• Psalm 139 (ESV)
• Genesis 2 (ESV)
• Romans 8 (ESV)

More From Alison Cook:

• Dr. Alison Cook's Website
• Dr. Alison Cook's The Best of You podcast

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The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

Do friction, struggle, and silence make you fully human?

AI can generate an answer, but it cannot suffer with you, worship, love a neighbor, or become wise. Host Curtis Chang and Andy Crouch, the partner for theology and culture at Praxis, explore how AI may weaken our minds, distort relationships, and tempt us to outsource the very experiences that form wisdom, wonder, and sacrificial love. From chatbot "companionship" and AI-assisted grief to medicine, spiritual counsel, and the loss of silence, Curtis and Andy ask whether convenience is quietly creating a kind of cognitive metabolic syndrome and what we can do about it.

00:01:22 - Introduction to AI's Impact on Our Minds.

00:04:35 - Lessons from Social Media's Evolution

00:08:26 - Cognitive Metabolic Syndrome

00:18:45 - What Is the Purpose of the Human Mind?

00:25:23 - Wonder vs. Power

00:26:49 - Love Requires Suffering and Friction

00:34:38 - The Limits of AI in Healthcare

00:40:53 - The Danger of Outsourcing Life's Hardships

00:51:23 - The Loss of Silence

00:58:11 - The AI Forced Conversation on Being Human

01:01:03 - Practical Ways to Protect Our Humanity

To give to Good Faith: https://goodfaith.org/donate

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Andrew Briggs and Roger Wagner's The Penultimate Curiosity: How Science Swims in the Slipstream of Ultimate Questions
• Thomas Fuchs' In Defence of the Human Being
• Victor Hugo's Les Misérables
• Tristan Harris on How AI Worsens Ills Caused by Social Media (The Economist)
• Explore the work of The Future of Life Institute
• Emma Pearson's I'd Rather Risk Cancer Than See AI Move This Fast (The Atlantic)

Scriptures:

• Mark 12:30–31 (ESV)
• Matthew 22:37–39 (ESV)
• Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)
• Luke 10:27 (ESV)

More From Andy Crouch:

• Check out Andy's website
• Check out Andy's work at Praxis
• Read Andy's book: The Life We're Looking For
• Read Andy's book The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place

Follow Us:

Good Faith on Instagram

Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter)

Good Faith on Facebook

The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.